Prickly Pear Jelly
This is a small batch and can be expanded if you use a flex batch pectin such as Pomona or Ball.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 d 2 hrs
Total Time 1 d 2 hrs 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
- 1 lb cactus fruit
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 T. bottled lemon juice
- 2 t. Pomona Pectin
- 2 t. calcium water OR
- 1 1/2 T. Ball Flex batch low sugar/no sugar pectin
Preparation:
Cut the ends off the fruit and peel them. Cut them lengthwise. Prepare 2 half pint jars.
Cooking:
Place all fruit and water into a small stockpot and low simmer the fruit for about an hour to extract the juice.
Strain the juice through a small mesh strainer or through a jelly bag. Measure the juice and add water to get to two cups.
Pomona pectin:
Add calcium water and lemon juice. Bring the juice to a boil. Mix pectin and sugar together and add all at once.
Stir into the juice and continue to stir until the sugar is dissolved, about two minutes.
Bring back to a boil for one minute and remove from the heat.
Filling the jars:
On a dishtowel place your hot jars and using your funnel in each jar fill the jars with to 1/4" headspace. Remove air bubbles and refill to the proper headspace if necessary.
Taking a clean papertowel wet it and wipe the rims of the jars removing any food particles that would interfere with a good seal.
Using your magic wand extract the lids from the hot water and place them on the now cleaned rims. Add your rings to the tops of each of the jars and turn to seal just "finger tight".
Processing:
Place the jars in the water bath making sure that the water covers each of the jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add hot water to the canner if it doesn't measure up.
Cover the pot and turn up the heat under the canner and wait for the water to start boiling. Once the water has come to a boil start your timer for 10 minutes.
When complete turn off the heat and remove the cover and let the jars sit for another few minutes.
Remove the jars and place them back on the dishtowel in a place that they will sit overnight to cool. Do not touch or move them till the next morning.
Labeling:
Make sure to label your jars after they have cooled with the name of the recipe and the date canned. If you want to use the shrink labels in the picture you can order them Here!
Keyword Jelly, Pear, Prickly Pear Jelly